SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES!

[bass4u]

One of my Fender Precision basses.

 

[Longwheelbass]

It's not the first one I've picked up with the bridge saddles in this odd-looking arrangement. Usually from a shop, usually there's no-one in the store who can intonate. The saddles were actually set up in a curve in terms of the saddle screw heights following the fretboard radius. Fixed now...typically with these further back bridges, the saddles are perilously closer to the forward edge.
Also, the neck was not aligned properly which didn't help - the G string was closer to the fretboard edge than the E string so I loosened the neck screws and pulled the neck towards the E then tightened. Nice equidistant measurement now from e string to edge and G string to edge.

 

[Longwheelbass]

It's not the first one I've picked up with the bridge saddles in this odd-looking arrangement. Usually from a shop, usually there's no-one in the store who can intonate. The saddles were actually set up in a curve in terms of the saddle screw heights following the fretboard radius. Fixed now...typically with these further back bridges, the saddles are perilously closer to the forward edge.
Also, the neck was not aligned properly which didn't help - the G string was closer to the fretboard edge than the E string so I loosened the neck screws and pulled the neck towards the E then tightened. Nice equidistant measurement now from e string to edge and G string to edge.

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Finally found the Dead Kennedys sticker I've been hoarding for years...

 

[JIO]

Currently on eBay (auction) and as much as I was initially interested, it's already at a price where I get off the bus. Lots of pics in the link -

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[JIO]

It's not the first one I've picked up with the bridge saddles in this odd-looking arrangement. Usually from a shop, usually there's no-one in the store who can intonate. The saddles were actually set up in a curve in terms of the saddle screw heights following the fretboard radius. Fixed now...typically with these further back bridges, the saddles are perilously closer to the forward edge.
Also, the neck was not aligned properly which didn't help - the G string was closer to the fretboard edge than the E string so I loosened the neck screws and pulled the neck towards the E then tightened. Nice equidistant measurement now from e string to edge and G string to edge.

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Still an odd-duck... the '69-'73 P was known to have the long "G" intonation screw (from the factory) so yours with a long "D" screw is different again. I mean, the "D" & "G" saddles are positioned nearly the same, so it's the same otherwise.

 

[Longwheelbass]

Still an odd-duck... the '69-'73 P was known to have the long "G" intonation screw (from the factory) so yours with a long "D" screw is different again. I mean, the "D" & "G" saddles are positioned nearly the same, so it's the same otherwise.

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You've inspired me to do what I have forgotten with this this bass, (it played so good out of the box I have just jumped straight into recording with it) - pull the neck off and the guard and read the numbers...(it played so good out of the box I have just jumped straight into recording with it)
Seems it is a late 73 after all. Pots are mid 73 and late 73 and the neck ends in a 3 which, while I'm not an expert on the second variant of neck codes that appeared in the 70's, I'm assuming the 3 on the end of the code would mean 73 as well. I feel guilty pulling the neck as it felt like it had never been off the body since leaving the factory, as the neck screws pulled tight on final half turn when doing them back up. Oddly the black bobbin pickups have nothing on them.
Having said that I have owned quite a few early/mid-70's P's with a mix of one grey/one black bobbin. with a date stamp only on the grey. I had a 64 P years ago with black bobbins and a yellow ink date stamp that actually read NOV 64...
The neck plate is in the 510000's.
Nerding out even further you can see the neck pocket got a tiny bit of extra palm router work after the paint was done.

 

[JIO]

You've inspired me to do what I have forgotten with this this bass, (it played so good out of the box I have just jumped straight into recording with it) - pull the neck off and the guard and read the numbers...(it played so good out of the box I have just jumped straight into recording with it)
Seems it is a late 73 after all. Pots are mid 73 and late 73 and the neck ends in a 3 which, while I'm not an expert on the second variant of neck codes that appeared in the 70's, I'm assuming the 3 on the end of the code would mean 73 as well. I feel guilty pulling the neck as it felt like it had never been off the body since leaving the factory, as the neck screws pulled tight on final half turn when doing them back up. Oddly the black bobbin pickups have nothing on them.
Having said that I have owned quite a few early/mid-70's P's with a mix of one grey/one black bobbin. with a date stamp only on the grey. I had a 64 P years ago with black bobbins and a yellow ink date stamp that actually read NOV 64...
The neck plate is in the 510000's.
Nerding out even further you can see the neck pocket got a tiny bit of extra palm router work after the paint was done.
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You never know what you will uncover taking it apart!

 

[JIO]

Clearly (but mildly) distressed...

 

[JIO]

Ampeg AUB-1 fretless ... our tb friend @Bruce Johnson probably knows of this bass no affiliation: Ampeg AUB-1 Scroll Head 1960's Bass Guitar Very Rare Vintage Fretless | eBay

 

[JIO]

Here's a real interesting distressed bass - '69 J that was originally 3TSB, refinished in Oly Wht, and then refinished in faux-grained 3TSB! Mike & Mikes always come up with the best vintage basses!

The nearly topped-off G & D string saddles - a sign that CBS/Fender were dropping the ball early on.

You can see traces of 3TSB under the Oly Wht in the neck pocket -

 

[Engle]

Clearly (but mildly) distressed...

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Surprised the pickguard is intact. It often breaks at the jack. Formica is not a great PG material.

 

[BGroovy]

Posted a NBD with tons of pictures on this if you want to dive deeper.

1964 Jazz. Refinished at the Fender factory in 1969 in Candy Apple Red and received a new 69 neck with blocks and binding during the refinish.

Plays great, feels great, looks great. What more can you ask for?

Was recently refretted

NBD:

Thread 'NBD - Vintage 64 Jazz with a 69 neck - Candy Apple Red + Matching Headstock'

Jan 26, 2026

Like so many vintage basses, part of the fun is piecing together the history. Guitar archaeology.

I've been working on a deal for this bass for over a year. The original (and only prior) owner passed away and his entire collection of EXTREMELY nice instruments was inherited by his nephew.

The body and all electronics are L series pre CBS 1964 - original pickups, pots, wiring. In 1969, the owner played a new Jazz bass with blocks and binding and the slightly slimmer neck at a local shop and decided that he liked the way it felt so he sent the bass off to Fender to get a 1969 neck and to...

• BGroovy
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Basses [BG]

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• 

 

[SJLee]

Posted a NBD with tons of pictures on this if you want to dive deeper.

1964 Jazz. Refinished at the Fender factory in 1969 in Candy Apple Red and received a new 69 neck with blocks and binding during the refinish.

Plays great, feels great, looks great. What more can you ask for?

Was recently refretted

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NBD:

Thread 'NBD - Vintage 64 Jazz with a 69 neck - Candy Apple Red + Matching Headstock'

Jan 26, 2026

Like so many vintage basses, part of the fun is piecing together the history. Guitar archaeology.

I've been working on a deal for this bass for over a year. The original (and only prior) owner passed away and his entire collection of EXTREMELY nice instruments was inherited by his nephew.

The body and all electronics are L series pre CBS 1964 - original pickups, pots, wiring. In 1969, the owner played a new Jazz bass with blocks and binding and the slightly slimmer neck at a local shop and decided that he liked the way it felt so he sent the bass off to Fender to get a 1969 neck and to...

• BGroovy
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Basses [BG]

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• 
• 

What a beauty! I was admiring that one on Reverb just a day or two ago.

 

[BGroovy]

What a beauty! I was admiring that one on Reverb just a day or two ago.

May have been a different one, I don't think this one ever made it to Reverb (I could be wrong though). It was up for auction last year and I couldn't get to a deal with the seller. After almost a full year of documenting and verifying (and market getting a bit softer) we were able to finally come to terms.


So glad to have it!

And because everyone loves to see the silver undercoat peaking through, here's another shot. Love how it turns orange as it wears.

 

[SJLee]

May have been a different one, I don't think this one ever made it to Reverb (I could be wrong though). It was up for auction last year and I couldn't get to a deal with the seller. After almost a full year of documenting and verifying (and market getting a bit softer) we were able to finally come to terms.


So glad to have it!

And because everyone loves to see the silver undercoat peaking through, here's another shot. Love how it turns orange as it wears.

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The ad mentioned the 64 with the 69 neck so unless it's another one out there with a 64 body and a 69 neck. I have insomnia and do quite a bit of scrolling during the middle of the night in a half awake state, so I have been known to mix things up from time to time. Whatever the case, she's a beauty! Congratulations.

 

[JIO]

Distressed '74-'75 fretless Jazz neck (on Reverb - no affiliation) $,$$$ As Fender only made a fretless P-bass neck then, an obvious mod. (but cool none the less) I'd at least remove the thick glossy finish on the fb.

 

[PNW Tony]

Distressed '74-'75 fretless Jazz neck (on Reverb - no affiliation) $,$$$ As Fender only made a fretless P-bass neck then, an obvious mod. (but cool none the less) I'd at least remove the thick glossy finish on the fb.

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I've got a Jaco Jazz body I'd love to have that on, but Yike$! Oh, well. Keeping my eyes open for a good Fender American fretless neck (non Pau Ferro).

 

[JIO]

I've got a Jaco Jazz body I'd love to have that on, but Yike$! Oh, well. Keeping my eyes open for a good Fender American fretless neck (non Pau Ferro).

Yah, that asking price is more than unreasonable. I'd consider any good Fender neck you can find and have a fretless fb put on it. Cheaper by far in the long run.

 

[Guido Fawkes]

Distressed '74-'75 fretless Jazz neck (on Reverb - no affiliation) $,$$$ As Fender only made a fretless P-bass neck then, an obvious mod. (but cool none the less) I'd at least remove the thick glossy finish on the fb.


Fender did make fretless Jazz basses in the early 70s but they seem to be quite unusual. A compromised, already modified example can make a great option for a fretless - I added a fretless board to a 62 jazz bass which had already been modified and value destroyed by a previous owner. Made a great, guilt-free player grade bass.

 

[doudoubasse]

Posted a NBD with tons of pictures on this if you want to dive deeper.

1964 Jazz. Refinished at the Fender factory in 1969 in Candy Apple Red and received a new 69 neck with blocks and binding during the refinish.

Plays great, feels great, looks great. What more can you ask for?

Was recently refretted

View attachment 7419463
View attachment 7419464View attachment 7419465
View attachment 7419466

NBD:

Thread 'NBD - Vintage 64 Jazz with a 69 neck - Candy Apple Red + Matching Headstock'

Jan 26, 2026

Like so many vintage basses, part of the fun is piecing together the history. Guitar archaeology.

I've been working on a deal for this bass for over a year. The original (and only prior) owner passed away and his entire collection of EXTREMELY nice instruments was inherited by his nephew.

The body and all electronics are L series pre CBS 1964 - original pickups, pots, wiring. In 1969, the owner played a new Jazz bass with blocks and binding and the slightly slimmer neck at a local shop and decided that he liked the way it felt so he sent the bass off to Fender to get a 1969 neck and to...

• BGroovy
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 
• 
• 

She looks alot like mine...

1974 JB refinished in nitro CAR with a shoreline gold undercoat.